Apparatus for harvesting egg fluid, and associated method

ABSTRACT

A harvesting apparatus adapted to harvest egg fluid from an avian egg is provided. Such an apparatus includes a frame. A harvesting assembly is operably engaged with the frame. The harvesting assembly includes a plurality of nozzles configured to remove egg fluid from an egg. The nozzles are configured to rotate from a vertically off-axis angled position toward a vertical position. A suction assembly is in fluid communication with the nozzles for harvesting egg fluid from an egg. An associated method is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/107,600, filed Jan. 26, 2015, which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to egg processing devices andsystems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to anapparatus for harvesting fluid from avian eggs, and an associatedmethod.

BACKGROUND

Avian eggs may be used in the production of biologics such as virusesfor vaccines, wherein such biologics must be harvested from the eggs atthe appropriate time. One method of producing biologics is to usefertilized avian eggs. The desired biologics are grown within the eggand must be harvested therefrom for further processing. One method ofproducing vaccines, such as influenza vaccines, is to use fertilizedavian (chicken) eggs. The eggs are injected with the viruses and, aftera sufficient time of incubation to allow the virus to multiply, the eggsare opened or de-capped to harvest the viruses. Harvesting typicallyinvolves the collection of the allantoic fluid contained in theallantoic sac of a fertilized egg. The viruses are then separated fromthe fluid, purified, and inactivated to produce the final vaccineproduct.

Unfortunately, conventional harvesting systems and methods are notefficient in optimizing and maximizing fluid removal from the openedegg, in part due to the presence of the embryo within the egg. Suchinefficiencies may lead to a loss in quantity of the final vaccineproduct produced.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus capable ofoptimizing the fluid harvesting process and maximizing the volume offluid removed from the egg. Furthermore, it would be desirable toprovide an associated method to optimize the fluid harvesting processand maximize the volume of fluid removed from the egg.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by aspects of the present disclosurewhich, according to one aspect, provides a harvesting apparatus adaptedto harvest egg fluid from an egg. The harvesting apparatus includes aframe and a harvesting assembly operably engaged with the frame. Theharvesting assembly has a plurality of nozzles configured to remove eggfluid from an egg. The nozzles are configured to rotate from avertically off-axis angled position toward a vertical position. Asuction assembly is in fluid communication with the nozzles forharvesting egg fluid from an egg.

Another aspect provides a method of harvesting egg fluid from an avianegg. The method comprises providing a plurality of de-capped avian eggsto a harvesting apparatus comprising a harvesting assembly having aplurality of nozzles. The method further comprises positioning the avianeggs beneath the harvesting assembly such that each de-capped avian eggis positioned beneath a respective nozzle, each nozzle being angledvertically off-axis. The method further comprises positioning thenozzles within the de-capped avian eggs at an angle vertically off-axis.The method further comprises rotating the nozzles within the eggs towarda vertical position, and suctioning egg fluid from the de-capped avianeggs through the nozzles.

Thus, various aspects of the present disclosure provide advantages, asotherwise detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described various embodiments of the present disclosure ingeneral terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a harvesting apparatus adapted toharvest egg fluid from a de-capped avian egg, according to one aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the harvesting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a magnified sectional view of the harvesting apparatus of FIG.1, illustrating tubing connecting a fluid container and a nozzle,according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4-9 are magnified sectional views of the harvesting apparatus ofFIG. 1, illustrating rotation of a nozzle within a de-capped avian egg,according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10-13 are magnified sectional views of the harvesting apparatus ofFIG. 1, illustrating rotation of a nozzle within a de-capped avian eggvia use of an arcuate guideway, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 is a magnified sectional view of the harvesting apparatus ofFIG. 1, illustrating a harvesting assembly having a plurality of nozzleholders and nozzles, according to one aspect of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a nozzle holder having a plurality ofnozzles operably engaged therewith, according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various aspects of the present disclosure now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, thisdisclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, theseaspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure will now bedescribed with reference to the figures. With initial reference to FIGS.1 and 2, illustrated in the figures is an exemplary apparatus 100 forharvesting allantoic fluid from embryonated chicken eggs once the eggsare de-capped or otherwise have an opening created in the top portion ofthe egg shells. In some instances, a conveyor may be provided such thatmultiple eggs can be automatically received within the apparatus 100. Anoperator may manually loads trays 50 (so-called “flats”) of de-cappedeggs into the apparatus 100. Each tray 50 of de-capped eggs may then bemoved through the apparatus 100 for processing at a harvesting assembly200, wherein a desired fluid may be removed from the egg via a suctionassembly 400. The eggs may then be directed or otherwise removed fromthe apparatus 100.

As mentioned previously, the de-capped eggs may be carried through theapparatus 100 on trays 50. Each tray 50 may be capable of holding apredetermined number of de-capped eggs in a matrix of individual eggsupport sections.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, trays 50 with de-capped eggsmay be manually loaded onto a rail assembly 120. In some instances, thetrays 50 may be placed onto a conveyor so as to create a continuous feedof trays 50. Any suitable tray loading means, manual or automated, andany suitable tray conveyor means may be used. Tray stops may be used tohold and release the trays 50 along the rail assembly 120 and/orconveyor to control the position of the trays 50 in the apparatus 100.Additional tray stops may be provided as needed to control the flow oftrays 50 into and through the apparatus 100, and that each can beindependently controlled with use of a sensor(s) to track the positionof a tray 50.

The apparatus 100 may include a cart 105 having a frame 115 extendingtherefrom, wherein the cart 105 and/or the frame 115 may support theharvesting assembly 200. The conveyor may be configured to transport thetrays 50 beneath the harvesting assembly 200.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the harvesting assembly 200 may include aplurality of nozzles 210 to be positioned within the eggs for removingthe desired egg fluid therefrom. In this regard, the nozzles 210 mayenter the de-capped eggs through the portion of the egg shell that hasbeen removed. The nozzles 210 may be in fluid communication with asuction assembly 400 that applies vacuum to draw or otherwise remove eggfluid from the egg. Each nozzle 210 may be connected to a fluidcontainer 450 via tubing 410, as shown in FIG. 3 (only one tubing 410shown for clarity). The egg fluid may move from the nozzle 210 throughthe tubing 410 and into the fluid container 450 where the egg fluid iscollected. The fluid container 450 may be removed or accessed as neededto remove the collected egg fluid. Each tubing 410 may run through aline separator 420 to separate and maintain position of the tubing 410.

With reference to FIGS. 4-9, the harvesting assembly 200 is nowdescribed. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the nozzles210 of the harvesting assembly 200 may be capable of rotating, sweeping,or otherwise moving within an egg 10 so as to improve the egg fluidremoval process. In this regard, the nozzle 210 may be angled withrespect to vertical upon entry and positioning within the egg 10, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. By angling the nozzle 210 toward the side of theegg 10, the embryo within the egg 10 may be avoided as the nozzle 210 ispositioned within the egg 10. In this regard, the embryo may begenerally centrally located within the egg 10, so entering the nozzlewithin the egg completely vertical may cause the nozzle to interferewith the embryo, thereby affecting the amount of desired egg fluid thatcan be removed. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure aim toavoid interference with the embryo by entering the egg 10 at an angle,wherein the nozzle 210 may then be rotated or moved in a sweeping motiontoward a vertical position such that the nozzle 210 removes egg fluidfrom the bottom of the egg 10, as shown in FIG. 9 (a portion of the tray50 moved for clarity). In this manner, the nozzle 210 may be used tomove the embryo to the side of the egg 10 and out of the way. FIGS. 4-9illustrate the sequence in which the nozzle 210 enters the egg 10 at anangle from vertical and then is rotated to a substantially verticalposition. In this regard, the nozzles 210 may be configured toarticulate by rotating from a vertically off-axis angled position towarda vertical position.

The nozzles 210 may be angled at various angles with respect to verticalupon positioning within the egg 10. For example, the nozzles 210 may beangled at between about 8 degrees and about 12 degrees from a verticaldirection and preferably at about 10 degrees from vertical.

The nozzles 210 may be rotated in any manner. According to one aspect,as shown in FIGS. 10-15, the harvesting assembly 200 may include anozzle holder assembly 250 having a plurality of nozzle holders 270 towhich the nozzles 210 are connected. The nozzle holders 270 may beengaged with and freely rotatable with respect to a nozzle holder frame280 such that the nozzles 210 are capable of corresponding rotation withthe nozzle holders 270. In this regard, the nozzle holders 270 mayinclude cylindrical projections 230 on either end thereof, which may bereceived within a slot 235 of the nozzle holder frame 280 (removed inFIG. 14 for clarity). The nozzle holders 270 may hang freely within theslots 235 such that the nozzle holders 270 are freely rotatable.

The harvesting assembly 200 may include a stationary guide frame 290defining a plurality of guideways 300. Each nozzle holder 270 mayinclude laterally extending portions 275 projecting from opposing ends271, 272 thereof and configured to operate in the guideways 300.According to one particular aspect, the guideways 300 may be arcuategrooves configured to facilitate rotational movement of the nozzleholders 270 (and thus the nozzles 210) as the nozzle holder assembly 250descends and ascends. While the illustrated aspects are described in amanner in which the trays 50 and eggs remain stationary while thenozzles 210 are lowered, it will be noted that in some instances thenozzles 210 could remain stationary while the trays 50 and eggs areraised to the nozzles 210, prior to rotation of the nozzles 210. Theharvesting assembly may include one or more actuators 600 for moving thenozzle holder assembly 250 (and particularly the nozzle holder frame280) vertically so as to facilitate rotation of the nozzle holders 270and nozzles 210. To that end, movement of the laterally extendingportions 275 within the guideways 300 as the nozzle holder assembly 250descends or ascends causes the nozzle holders 270, and hence the nozzles210, to rotate or otherwise move in a sweeping motion.

In some instances, one of the actuators 600 may be used to move theentire harvesting assembly 200 (i.e., the stationary guide frame 290 andthe nozzle holder assembly 250) vertically so as to move the harvestingassembly 200 proximate to the de-capped eggs, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, 10and 11. In this regard, the stationary guide frame 290 and the nozzleholder assembly 250 may be connected to one or more extension rods thatfacilitate vertical movement of the stationary guide frame 290 and thenozzle holder assembly 250. In this sense, the term “stationary” of thestationary guide frame 290 refers to the inactive state or stationaryposition of the stationary guide frame 290 during the process when thenozzle holder assembly 250 is vertically lowered with respect to thestationary guide frame 290 such that the gap between the frames thereofis eliminated and the frames of the stationary guide frame 290 and thenozzle holder assembly 250 are in contact, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13.By the stationary guide frame 290 remaining stationary once loweredproximate to the eggs, the laterally extending portions 275 may be movedthrough the guideways 300 so as to articulate the nozzles 210, as shownin FIGS. 8 and 12. In some instances, a second actuator 600 may be usedto move the nozzle holder assembly 250 relative to the stationary guideframe 290 such that the nozzles 210 are rotated within the eggs. Thatis, the relative motion between the stationary guide frame 290 and thenozzle holder assembly 250 causes the nozzles to rotate within the egg.However, in order for eggs to be moved beneath the harvesting assembly200, the stationary guide frame 290 and the nozzle holder assembly 250may be capable of concurrent movement so as to be raised and loweredtogether for at least some distance. In some instances, movement of thestationary guide frame 290 in a downward direction may be halted by somephysical structure or impediment such that the stationary guide frame290 becomes stationary, thereby allowing for the relative motion of thenozzle holder assembly 250 with respect to the stationary guide frame290.

The nozzles 210 may have a cylindrical body 350 defining a plurality ofholes 355 through which egg fluid enters an interior of the nozzle 210during removal of egg fluid from the egg. The end of the nozzles 210 maybe frustoconically shaped. The nozzles 210 may include a stem 215 forreceiving the tubing 410.

The actuators 600 may be of any suitable type mechanism. For example,the actuators 600 may be an air cylinder type actuator, among others.

Sensors, controllers, and other electronics as known in the art can beused to control the movements and processes of the apparatus 100. Theapparatus 100 may include a human machine interface (HMI) 700 forhousing a controller to control the apparatus 100 and providing aninterface for inputting processing protocols or parameters by the user.

Many modifications and other aspects of the present disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisdisclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to thespecific aspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A harvesting apparatus adapted to harvest eggfluid from an egg, the harvesting apparatus comprising: a frame; aharvesting assembly operably engaged with the frame, the harvestingassembly comprising a plurality of nozzles configured to remove eggfluid from an egg, the harvesting assembly being configured to rotatethe nozzles in a sweeping motion from a vertically off-axis angledposition toward a vertical position, wherein the harvesting assemblyfurther comprises a nozzle holder assembly operably engaged with theframe and having a plurality of nozzle holders with which the nozzlesare operably engaged, the nozzle holders being operably engaged with andfreely rotatable with respect to a nozzle holder frame of the nozzleholder assembly such that the nozzles are capable of rotation aseffected by the nozzle holders; an actuator operably engaged with thenozzle holder frame and configured to move the nozzle holder assemblyvertically so as to facilitate rotation of the nozzle holders andnozzles; and a suction assembly in fluid communication with the nozzlesfor harvesting egg fluid from an egg.
 2. A harvesting apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the harvesting assembly is configured torotate the nozzles from the vertically off-axis angle position ofbetween about 8 degrees and about 12 degrees toward the verticalposition.
 3. A harvesting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theharvesting assembly includes a stationary guide frame defining aplurality of guideways, the nozzle holder frame being movable withrespect to the stationary guide, and further wherein the nozzle holderseach include laterally extending portions projecting from opposing endsthereof and configured to operate in the guideways.
 4. A harvestingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzles each have acylindrical body defining a plurality of holes through which egg fluidenters an interior of the nozzle during removal of egg fluid from anegg.
 5. A harvesting apparatus adapted to harvest egg fluid from an egg,the harvesting apparatus comprising: a frame; a harvesting assemblyoperably engaged with the frame, the harvesting assembly comprising: astationary guide frame defining a plurality of guideways having arcuategrooves; a nozzle holder assembly configured to move with respect to thestationary guide frame, the nozzle holder assembly having a plurality ofnozzle holders operably engaged with and freely rotatable with respectto a nozzle holder frame, and the nozzle holders each having laterallyextending portions projecting from opposing ends thereof and configuredto operate in the guideways; and a plurality of nozzles operably engagedwith the nozzle holders and configured to remove egg fluid from an egg,the nozzles being configured to rotate from a vertically off-axis angledposition toward a vertical position when the nozzle holder assemblymoves with respect to the stationary guide frame, whereby such movementof the nozzle holder assembly causes the laterally extending portions tomove within the arcuate grooves, thereby effecting a sweeping motion ofthe nozzles; and a suction assembly in fluid communication with thenozzles for harvesting egg fluid from an egg.